First Light Rail Vehicle for Valley Line West arrives in Edmonton 

The City of Edmonton announced that the first Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) for the Valley Line West LRT has arrived, marking a major milestone for the project.

Shipped in two sections from Hyundai Rotem Company’s facility in Changwon, South Korea, the vehicle underwent extensive testing before being loaded on July 1 onto a roll-on/roll-off ship designed to carry wheeled vehicles. The ship crossed the Pacific Ocean and arrived at the Port of Tacoma, Washington, on July 20. The LRV was then transported by truck to the Gerry Wright Operations and Maintenance Facility in southeast Edmonton.

“The arrival of the first LRV is more than just a milestone; it’s a sign of momentum for the Valley Line West. Watching this train roll into Edmonton is a proud moment for our team and for the city,” said Brian Latte, Director, Valley Line West, City of Edmonton. “This LRV is a part of where we’re headed as a city. As Edmonton grows towards two million people, Valley Line West will change how we move, how we build, and how we connect with one another.”

Hyundai Rotem will supply 46 Valley Line West LRVs. Currently, there are 16 LRVs at various stages of manufacturing in South Korea. Delivery to Edmonton will continue into 2027. The 46 new vehicles will complement the current fleet of 26 LRVs operating on Valley Line Southeast. Both vehicles are designed to be fully compatible with the infrastructure of the entire 27-kilometre Valley Line.

“We’re proud to see the first LRV arrive safely in Edmonton. From initial design, to manufacturing and testing in Korea, to final delivery, this vehicle represents years of collaboration and a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality transit vehicle,” said Chiseung Kim, Project Manager, Valley Line West, Hyundai Rotem Company. “As the LRV manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem hopes that the LRVs we deliver will operate well in Edmonton and be helpful to Edmontonians in their daily lives.”

The Valley Line West LRT project is No. 32 on ReNew Canada’s 2025 Top100 Projects report.

Upon arrival in Edmonton, the vehicle was offloaded and will undergo final assembly. Testing and commissioning will occur on the Valley Line Southeast tracks at a later time, with measures in place to ensure this does not impact existing passenger service.

Featured image: 1st Valley Line West LRT light rail vehicle (LRV) arriving in Edmonton. (City of Edmonton)